Celebration and sorrow mingled at the Mass for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington April 2. While they rejoiced during the Gospel of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem, Massgoers later witnessed Jesus’ anguish in the retelling of the Passion. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge recognized this tension in his homily, as he reminded parishioners of the Marian theme “Rejoice” for Year Two of the Diocesan Golden Jubilee.
“Yet, as we just heard the Passion of the Lord just proclaimed, we may ask, ‘how is it possible to rejoice?’ ” Bishop Burbidge said.
He said the Passion demonstrates Jesus’ great love for mankind and his share in human suffering. Through his suffering, Jesus draws closer to those who suffer in their time of need.
“We are reminded that there is nothing we experience on earth — false judgment, harsh treatment, betrayal, ridicule, physical or emotional suffering — that Jesus has not already endured for our sake,” Bishop Burbidge said.
He encouraged the faithful during Holy Week to walk in Jesus’ footsteps and remove excessive noise from their lives, spending time in silence and prayer instead.
“Above all else, stay strong in faith and rejoice in hope,” he said.
Following Mass, Bishop Burbidge walked outside to greet Massgoers and members of Alfo-Conce, a group of artists who practice the Guatemalan tradition of creating sawdust art. Bishop Burbidge blessed the sawdust carpet, which depicted the cathedral, angels kneeling by a monstrance, and Jesus riding into Jerusalem.
Palm Sunday begins Holy Week and was the first of several liturgies to be celebrated by Bishop Burbidge, including the April 4 Chrism Mass; the April 6 Mass of the Lord’s Supper; the April 7 Good Friday Solemn Liturgy of the Passion of Our Lord; the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil April 8; and Easter Mass April 9.
